10/26/2005 @ 9:55AM

Google's Schmidt To Plow $350,000 Into Open Source Software

Google
and
Microsoft
seldom pass on an opportunity to twist the knife they’ve embedded in one other–even indirectly. Thus
Eric E.
Schmidt
Eric E. Schmidt
‘s search engine giant is to contribute $350,000 to create a joint program by two Oregon universities to develop more open source computer technology.

Open source software is created by a development community rather than a single vendor; the source code is also free and available to anyone who would like to use it or modify it for their own purpose. Oregon State University and Portland State University, both of whom have open source wonks at their faculties, will create an open source technology program in early 2006.

“Google’s support will strengthen the leadership role of our universities in fostering the next generation of open source technologies, projects and experts in Oregon,” glowed the Pacific state’s governor, Ted Kulongoski.

Chris DiBona, open source program manager at
Google
, joined Kulongoski in the announcement and said the “importance of open source can’t be overstated”. Rough translation: The importance of open source to Microsoft’s demise can’t be overstated.

The Linux operating system and Mozilla Web browser are two examples of open source technology that are not privately owned or licensed and are free for downloading.

And Google’s gift is not a million miles away from
IBM’s
championing of the Linux operating system. Though IBM did not invent Linux, does not distribute it and earns next to nothing on it, the computer giant is spending billions in a crusade to make Linux the world’s most popular operating system–all part of a conspiracy to Kill Bill?